Calyn is SO sweet and accommodating....she goes above and beyond to help and she made the experience special for me!!

They have the students constantly beg you to buy their insanely priced products so that the students can "level" up. Extremely deceptive "school" if you ask me.... read more

I had Layla for my haircut today and she did a fantastic job. One of the best haircuts I've ever gotten and I've gotten a lot of haircuts. She asked instructors when unsure and that extra help got her to a great finished project. Thanks for the great cut! read more

Kaitlyn M. did such a good job on my haircut, she took her time and made sure every piece was even. She was professional, and made the entire process so much fun!!! read more

PCI Academy - cut 10 inches off - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Ames, Iowa

If I could give this place 0 stars I would. My friend got her haircut done by Lyla today. It is genuinely the worst thing I've ever seen. It is choppy and uneven, plus my friend asked for a trim and she proceeded to cut 5 inches off her hair. This is not okay, as haircuts are supposed to be okayed by a professional. read more

They messed up my hair. I went in for a balayage and after 9hours they left me with an orange mess. I request a redo and one of the educators said to me "I'm glad you came back." I was thinking "why would you let me walk out like it?!?!" Anyway, after they attempted to fix it they went really dark but apparently that was the only thing they would do after the previous girl had allowed the bleach bleed through dimensional pieces. After the first shower after the redo, my hair is bleeding color and some pieces are patchy. I left a google review and they said they would reach out to me to "make it right" nope haven't heard anything from them. My advice is to just to have low expectations and definitely spend the extra money on your hair, this wasn't worth a burnt scalp, it wasn't worth the money, and it wasn't worth the 13+ hours I spent on the chair. read more

PCI Academy - This is what I asked for - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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Michelle did a great job. She asked instructors when unsure and they were very supportive. The entire experience was very positive.

I had a great experience my skin feels so soft and moisturized which is so relieving in the dry season. My lovely girlfriend Kira Ruopp is the aesthetician who did my facial. She's very kind and amazing with her work. She'll make sure you're relaxed and comfortable the whole time and is very careful and considerate. I went into this unbiased and I'm extremely impressed with her performance and I highly recommend going to her for your skin care needs you'll be very pleased! read more

2/18/22 Thank you to Ryleigh. I appreciated your knowledge and skill used during my appointment. Best wishes as you graduate. read more

Grace did a fabulous job! she took her time to make sure she got all my grays! . She gave me a great massage while shampooing and recommended products I will use long-term! read more

The educators are way understaffed they had TWO led lamps for nails for a 10 person nail station we had to take turns with them to get it done! They had the schedule for my appointment wacky and had to get fixed twice no acrylic nails available and the students here are basically screwed from the get go when the service was done the educator did not look once at my nails and was more worried about selling me products. My appointment was 5min ago and I'm in the parking lot still these are my nails that I paid 50$ for read more

PCI Academy - The shellac peeling after I did my seat belt my cuticules uncut and hang nails not clipped and no oil or lotion - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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My wife and I went up to get a facial and back facial. Loved the experience. The students were all so kind and quick to greet us. Millie performed both services perfectly! This was our second time up there and we really enjoyed it. Great music, clean workplace. 10/10. read more

I had a great microdermabrasion on this visit! From scheduling the the appointment to checking out the front desk people were very friendly and knowledgeable. My esthetician was warm and friendly, she answered all my questions, was pleasant and professional. Please keep in mind, PCI is a beauty school. It's not a salon or spa, it's a school. There are girls everywhere, (and a couple of guys) lots of chatter. Not the most professional feeling, but again, it's a school. Shelby did my microdermabrasion, her pressure on my face was perfect, not too light, not to hard. She made sure of my comfort throughout the processes. She was telling me about the procedure and what she was doing (changing adapters, preparing to rinse...) as she worked. She's going to be great when she graduates, I'll follower her to whatever salon she goes to work for. Before leaving I scheduled my next appointment with her for a Hydrafacial. The products smelled amazing and my face already looks smoother! I know now the correct way to repair and care for my skin. (No more sun for my face! ) read more

PCI Academy - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Love, love coming to PCI and getting the full treatment from Jordan!! I enjoy meeting and chatting with the educators every time I come, as well! I have so enjoyed watching Jordan learn, and she has taught me some wonderful things in order to protect and take care of my hair and nails. Thank you, Jordan and thank you, PCI! Julie M. read more

I didn't like the way my friend's mom was treated. She basically called her old and wouldn't do the rest of the pedicure (massage, scrub, etc). When my friend's mom told her she wanted some more stuff done and to do better, the girl straight up ignored what she said. Hate that, and I wouldn't go to PCI academy. Used to be a fan but not anymore. She also didn't leave a name on the ticket to track which girl did bad. So, that's also annoying. read more

I had a hair appointment with Lara and it was absolutely exceptional. It was a cut and dye, as well as some highlighting work. The experience itself was amazing, Lara was delightful to speak with and made me feel so welcome at PCI. They were funny, kind, and incredibly incredibly competent. The cut was more than I could have asked for, I left feeling so much more confident than when I walked in. I will continue to come to PCI just for Lara! read more

I had my hair cut today by Kate Kennedy. I am a horrible client I think. I tend to tell you what I want and how to do it. Kate took this all in stride and did exactly what I wanted. It has been a long time since I've been happy with a stylist! I'm hooked Kate! You are my girl! Big shout out to PCI Academy. read more

I had a custom blend facial with Cassidy C today and it was wonderful! My skin is very dry but after my appointment it felt so hydrated. I even got a hand massage while my mask was sitting! I can't wait for my next appointment! read more

Kaitlyn Sp was super kind throughout my service. Keeping a conversation & making sure I was comfortable! I definitely recommend her for any service she is able to do! read more

Iowa City location: The price in the chair when the instructor comes by is different when you check out and I had to ask why it changed. I asked for a blow out and I got a blow dry. I asked for a certain style and I walked out with my hair looking exactly like it did when I walked in. I could have done it myself and in half the time (straight and flat ironed. Ask for the sides to be curled and whisped back. She put two curls in my hair, one on each side. I got in the car and put it in a pony tail) 1. Definitely disappointed and 2. Shocked that the instructor was pleased knowing that she saw me and checked me in and approved the ending result. It is all about the $$$. I will not be back. read more

It was so fun to get my highlights done with Emma! Did a super job!

I only started going here because it's the only place in town where there are Black stylists. I was referred to a girl here after calling like five hair salons in town. She did an okay job. I made an appointment for the morning of my college graduation at 9am. I was running 10 minutes late so I called to let them know. They told me to get there ASAP. I get there and wait over 20 minutes before I'm told that the stylist isn't scheduled to be there until 10:30 - over a hour later. So I go out to breakfast, come back, and then I'm told that this stylist I scheduled with hasn't been in all morning and they're unable to get ahold of her. I tell them I only allow Black women in my hair and the only other Black lady available is running behind and doesn't have space until after 12. Graduation starts at 12. I end up having to go to Walmart to get my hair done by a white woman, who thankfully and surprisingly did a great job. Seems as though in teaching sub par hair care and clown makeup, they neglected professionalism. read more

Ames Location: I had a hair cut, blow out, and a pedicure done that were not great. Actually, they were terrible and I'd rather have been anywhere else. My hair took right around an hour, which was fine, but she yanked my hair so much and was so rough with me. Then my pedicure, which usually takes about an hour was 20 minutes from start to polish drying. She didn't let my feet soak, trimmed the nails, slapped some lotion on top of my feet, wrapped them in cold towels, let me sit for a few minutes like that, and then polished me and I was done. I hate saying anything in front of them because I know they are students and I don't know if they have something personal going on, but talk about disappointment. Sucks when you waste a gift card on someone and something that wasn't even subpar AND drove an hour. I later found out it was just her last week of school, so I really hope she doesn't treat future clients like that or I don't foresee her maintaining a client list. My massage by Michelle was AMAZING though. read more

I've been getting great haircuts here from Indyca. I think I've had her cut my hair the last 3 or 4 times and she's been great. The biggest problem is it often takes too long for them to find an instructor to check everything over. Overall, great haircuts and the price is right. read more

PCI Academy - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Esthetics Student Started Feb 2019. Graduated Sep 2019. *not my 1st Rodeo Obtained my Cosmetologist License at the Aveda Institute 2018. Pros: Bioelements Line. Learn Lash Extensions, Chemical Services such as Chemical Peels, Microdermabrasion, Hydrafacial. Cons: 4 different Educators from when I started , they all quit. 2 different financial aid officers as well . Red flag staff turnover. Curriculum unorganized. They combine the new incoming class with the "advance" class but it is a repeat which the "advanced" class learns nothing new. No one to direct program questions too. All google reviews that are positive are from current cosmetologist educators. No safe sanitation rules. The last month i was there no one ordered Marmacide to disinfect tools. So if you received a service most likely items were contaminated. No organization on hours reported or attendance so you had to keep track to see when you graduate. Some educators had less than 2 years of real salon experience. Students were asked to teach the newer class since the educator had no training which is not acceptable. The school should prepare them. Career fair was a joke to esthetics class. Informed a day prior with no resume building skills or proper interview skills. This is a trade school that is supposed to help you. Negative. Educators gossip with other students about students and staff. Hygiene not enforced nor rules or regulations. This school just cares about the money they receive. My advice go to another school. You get what you pay for. read more

Went back for the 2nd time to see Hannah M. Previously had a microdermabrasion, this time a chemical peel. She was fantastic! And my skin feels great!! read more

I have never been this disappointed with the people running a business. There was one blonde lady who was a manager or something of PCI and she was very rude to me and my mom and told us to find another hair place because PCI was not a good fit with us. I got my hair colored here and spend $90 and walked out of PCI looking the same as I did walking in. I went back a second time and they said they would do it for free again because the first time was bad. I got sat down and the stylist put color in my hair and while I was processing, a manager walked up to me and said I will have to end up paying $40. Bad miscommunication with the manager. My hair did turn out great, through. So the hair person did a great job. Just upset with the manager. read more

Waited a week for an appointment and then when I arrived the stylist wasn't there. How do you expect me to confirm my appointment with you but you can't even have your stylist there. THEY should be the ones confirming the appointment because how unprofessional is that? Called 3 times in the morning after they opened and no one picked up the phone. How hard can getting your hair cut be?! read more

I'm EXTREMELY disappointed. This may be my last visit here. You really do pay for what you get but this experience was even worse than I had imagine. I understand it's an academy where students are learning..but the outcome is NOTHING close to what I had asked for. I had shown the picture numerous amount of time and had originally asked for the darker part of my hair to be ash brown..however due to miscommunication - or no communication- none of that was taken account for. Also, the painting job from the student was extremely messy and there were blobs on my hair that was randomly yellow/orange -ish...the "teacher" on watch was pretty much trying to be oblivious although she had seen it. Although they both realize and saw it, they were going to play it off and call it done until I had asked them to fix it...the student also did not take into account my comfort on the temperature of the water. She had never once asked me whether it was perfect temp...there's soo much I could say...ALSO, where's the blonde or lighter color I had asked for?!? You know they both know the student had messed up when you see them having a side conversation. If this was what a tier 2 could do..I wonder what a tier 3 could...I honestly cannot believe I still had to pay for this...4 hours of my time was wasted as well as my money. Your experience may be different but I wouldn't test my luck here if I were you. - what I wanted vs what I got: read more

PCI Academy - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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I got my hair colored for the first time here with my mom and she got a haircut, she explained how she wanted her hair cut with a picture and the student nor the teacher knew how to get the look which wasn't that difficult it was a bob, she then proceeded to cut my mothers hair and mid way they stopped because she didn't know how to finish and charged her 17$ for a half finished haircut. When they got to my hair they damaged it so bad 2 years later it's still trying to recover. I wanted a nice caramel balayage and got a yellow orange uneven color on my hair. I did return for it to be fixed at no cost but I should've just kept it as it was because they ended up damaging my hair more. Please be warned and do not go here if you want to keep your hair. read more

I asked for and paid for a third level person for a perm. Addy was the person who they scheduled me with and went in for the perm on 11/23/2020. To begin with, Addy said I was only her second perm she has done which made me nervous, but I was already there so told her what rods I wanted . She began and I could see she was very inexperienced and nervous. She had to go ask the teacher several times how to roll it as she was having trouble. She still was very slow and having trouble until another student was sent by the teacher to help. Finally the teacher basically took over rolling the perm and my problem with the teacher was that she was not doing what I had said I wanted. After having three different people doing my hair and doing their own things, I just closed my eyes and wanted to get it over with. They all were very nice, but Addy was too inexperienced, the teacher was doing her own thing and not listened to what I had said about the size of rollers and amount of curl I wanted. It ended up with way more curl than I wanted. I give credit to Addy, she was nice and tried so hard. I blame the person who scheduled me as I specifically asked for someone experienced and had done perms before. Also, I had a perm there previously and they were only doing every other station and six feet apart. I was not told that they changed to every station and there were too many people around. I had to ask one student to move farther away as she was just sitting in next station beside me using her phone. She was nice and did move away. read more

Do Not buy Over Priced Product Here! Facial Service was OK for $33. You get what you pay for. Product was good but if you like it do not buy it here! I paid $39.50 at PCI for Bioelements Power Peptide then checked at Amazon. They had it for $26. Buyers Remorse :( read more

Always had great experience every time I go. Abby Kieffer is great, I do recommend her!

I scheduled an appointment and came in for it checked in and was sitting there for 30 minutes after my appointment before the receptionist came up and said "oh did anyone help you." I replied no. I was told several times after that that someone would "be right with me." I waited 15 more minutes and then walked out! I wouldn't waste my time on a school who has horrible customer service. They didn't even bother to apologize either. read more

Erin H was fabulous! She was professional and explained the process as she performed each step. Love my lash lift and tint! Will definitely be a repeat customer before and after graduation! Gina M read more

Love this place great to see the students growth from when they start doing their ready to graduate!

Kassie W does amazing work! She originally had started my hair process and we got it finally! I love it! I would recommend her to ANYONE! Thanks girl! read more

I've come here once for a massage, which was quite nice, but this is for my experience with Kenzie L. in the hair salon. I'm the type who loves doing crazy things to her hair, and after a year's hiatus to let my poor follicles recover, it was time to go nuts again. Kenzie was on board from the start, and every bit as excited to see what we could accomplish with my hair as I was! Since we were working with hair that had been previously box-colored, my initial plans weren't possible (without frying my hair into submission, which none of us wanted), and she rolled straight into "okay, then what would you like with what we can do?" It was fantastic to have a stylist who was able to switch gears and roll with the changes, who was conscientious of hair's needs, and also willing to do some pretty crazy combinations of techniques! Definitely a good experience, and the results were amazing. :) read more

Maybe best cos school I have been to. Andrea was super. Nice shop here, compared to most schools. Close to the airport, which was good for me. I got the works done today, except for pedi/manicure. Did I say Andrea was super... read more

NEVER will go back first they destroyed my hair and top. I received a 300 dollar gift card as a birthday present from someone. They aloud my boyfriend to use it without making sure that it okay! REALLY? ?? Who in the hell does that , is that how they teach to run a business? I would give less than one star if I could. Advice don't go and save your self money and frustration. read more